Battery operated device and tag for a battery operated tool

ABSTRACT

A device tag including a housing that includes a first connector structure constructed and arranged to engage with a battery operated device and a second connector structure constructed and arranged to slidingly engage with a battery such that the device tag is provided between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag also includes an electrical connector carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to provide an electrical connection between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag further includes an electronic device carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to transmit electrical signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.15/373,026 filed Dec. 8, 2016 which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/232,306 filed Aug. 9, 2016; which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/935,781 filed Nov. 9, 2015,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,449,268; which is a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/681,770, filed Nov. 20, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.9,189,663; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/566,294, filed Dec. 2, 2011. U.S. application Ser. Nos. 15/232,306;14/935,781; 13/681,770 and 61/566,294 are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a battery operated device and a devicetag for a battery operated device.

Battery operated devices are often expensive and subject to theft and/orunauthorized use. The present disclosure addresses this issue.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides a device tag including a housingthat includes a first connector structure constructed and arranged toengage with a battery operated device and a second connector structureconstructed and arranged to engage with a battery such that the devicetag is provided between the battery operated device and the battery. Thedevice tag also includes an electrical connector carried by the housingand constructed and arranged to provide an electrical connection betweenthe battery operated device and the battery. The device tag furtherincludes an electronic device carried by the housing and constructed andarranged to transmit wireless data signals.

Another aspect provides a battery operated electronic device thatincludes a battery operated device, a battery for operating the batteryoperated device; and a device tag that includes a housing releasablyconnectable to the device and the battery. The device tag provides anelectrical path between the device and the battery to enable the batteryto power the device. The device tag further includes an electronicdevice constructed and arranged to transmit wireless data signals.

Another aspect provides a method of operating a battery operatedelectronic device. The method includes the steps of connecting a devicetag between a battery and a battery operated device and conducting powerbetween the battery and the battery operated device through the devicetag. The method also includes the step of transmitting wireless datasignals with the device tag.

These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the methodsof operation and functions of the related elements of structure and thecombination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become moreapparent upon consideration of the following description and theappended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all ofwhich form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment,the structural components illustrated herein can be considered drawn toscale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings arefor the purpose of illustration and description only and are not alimitation of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciated thatstructural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein canbe used in other embodiments as well. As used in the specification andin the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a device tag in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device tag connected to a batteryoperated device and a battery in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device tag in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of portions of the device tag, withportions removed to better reveal others, in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 4b is an exploded view of some components of the device tag;

FIG. 5a is a bottom perspective view of the device tag in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 5b is an exploded view from the bottom of some components of thedevice tag in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5c is an exploded view from the bottom of some components of thedevice tag in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device of the device tagand a control unit in communication with the device tag in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device tag, the battery operateddevice, and the battery in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device tag, the battery operateddevice, and the battery in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a device tag 10 in accordance with an embodiment. Thedevice tag 10 includes a housing 12 that has a first connector structure14 (two are shown in this embodiment) constructed and arranged toslidingly engage with a battery operated device. For purposes of thisdisclosure, the battery operated device is a power tool. While thedevice tag has particular benefits as applied to power tools, which areoften used in secured locations and subject to unauthorized use and/ortheft, aspects of the present invention can also be used with otherbattery operated devices, such as computers (e.g., lap tops, automobile,smart phones, etc.). The power tool embodiment is described in moredetail herein and is illustrated in various figures (see, e.g., powertool 16 in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8).

The housing 12 also includes a second connector structure 18 (two areshown in FIG. 6a ) constructed and arranged to slidingly engage with abattery 20 (see FIG. 2) such that the device tag 10 is located betweenthe battery operated device 16 and the battery 20. The battery 20 may bea lithium ion battery, NiCad, or other types of batteries.

As shown in FIG. 3, the device tag 10 also includes an electricalconnector 22 constructed and arranged to provide an electricalconnection between the battery operated device 16 and the battery 20.The device tag 10 further includes an electronic device 24 carried bythe housing 12 and that is configured to transmit and/or receivewireless data signals. Alternatively or additionally, in someembodiments, the device tag 10 may also have its own power source (e.g.,a battery) provided, just for example, in the housing 12. In oneembodiment, the electronic device 24 includes a wireless communicationtag, taking the form of an RFID tag 91 (see FIG. 6) in this embodiment,configured to transmit wireless data signals to communicate with acontrol unit 84 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the control unit 84has an RFID reader 86 configured to communicate with the RFID tag 91 ofthe electronic device 24. The control unit 84 may be of the typedescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,249, which isincorporated herein in its entirety. The electrical connector 22 and theelectronic device 24 will be described in more detail later. It shouldbe appreciated that in other embodiments, the electronic device 24 mayinclude other types of wireless communication tags and may communicatewith the control unit 84 via other methods of communications, such as,just for example, satellite signals, personal area networks (IrDA,Bluetooth, UWB, Z-Wave, and Zigbee).

Referring back to FIG. 1, the housing 12 includes a first portion 13 anda second portion 15 that can be connected to each other to form thehousing 12. The housing 12 may also include an upper portion 11, sideportions 17, 19, front and rear portions 21, 23, and a bottom portion25. An intermediate portion 29 may be provided between the upper portion11 and the bottom portion 25.

In one embodiment, the upper portion 11 is constructed and arranged tocontact at least a portion of the battery operated device 16. It shouldbe appreciated that in other embodiments, the housing 12 may be a singlecomponent or may be multiple portions connected together. In oneembodiment, the first and second portions 13, 15 are each constructedfrom rigid plastic or other suitable materials. Openings 30 a-30 e maybe provided in the housing 12 to receive terminal connections from thebattery operated device 16 such that the battery operated device 16 canelectrically connect to the electrical connector 22 in the device tag10. The openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d may have a similar configurationas openings 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, 31 d formed in the battery 20 (see FIG.7). Referring back to FIG. 1, each portion 13, 15 includes the firstconnector structure 14 that engages with the battery operated device 16.In this embodiment, each of the first connector structures 14 includes agroove 26 and a rail 28 provided above the groove 26. The groove 26 maybe constructed and arranged to receive an associated rail of an engagingportion 27 (see FIG. 2) of the battery operated device 16. Alternativelyor additionally, the rail 28 may be constructed and arranged to bereceived in an associated groove formed in the engaging portion 27 thebattery operated device 16. Accordingly, in addition to connecting thedevice tag 10 with the battery operated device 16, the grooves 26 andthe rails 28 of the first connector structures 14 may be constructed andarranged to help align the openings 30 a-30 e of the housing 12 with theterminal connections of the battery operated device 16 such that thebattery operated device 16 can be electrically connected to theelectrical connector 22 of the device tag 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device tag 10 includes a latch 32constructed and arranged to latch the device tag 10 to the batteryoperated device 16. When the device tag 10 is engaged with the batteryoperated device 16, the latch 32 may be received in a groove or latchreceiving region formed in the engaging portion 27 of the batteryoperated device 16 to prevent movement of the device tag 10 relative tothe battery operated device 16. The latch 32 includes an engagingportion 34 constructed and arranged to protrude from an opening 36formed in the housing 12. The engaging portion 34 may include a slopedsurface 35 and an engaging surface 37. The latch 32 is moveable betweena latched position wherein removal of the device tag 10 from the batteryoperated device 16 is prevented and an unlatched position whereinremoval of the device tag 10 from the battery operated device 16 ispermitted. The latch 32 may be biased in the latched position by aresilient member (not shown), such as a spring. In some embodiments, thelatch 32 may be made of resilient material such that the latch 32 itselfmay function to bias the latch 32 in the latched position.

In one embodiment, the device tag 10 also includes an actuator 38constructed and arranged to be actuatable by a user. The actuator 38includes a contact portion 40 protruding from an opening 42 in thehousing 10 and engageable by a user to actuate the actuator 38. In oneembodiment, the actuator 38 may be constructed and arranged to promptthe electronic device to transmit signals to the control unit when theactuator 38 is actuated.

FIG. 2 shows the device tag 10 connected to the battery operated device16 and to the battery 20. In this embodiment, the device tag 10 isprovided between the battery operated device 16 and the battery 20 andelectrically connects the battery operated device 16 and the battery 20such that power is provided from the battery 20 to the battery operateddevice 16. The battery operated device 16 may be a drill, driver,nailers, staplers, saws, or any other type of tool that is powered by abattery.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of components of the device tag 10 inaccordance with an embodiment. In this embodiment, the two portions 13,15 of the device tag 10 may be connected to each other via attachmentmechanisms 44, such as screws, pins, adhesives, or other types ofattachment mechanisms. Openings 46 may be provided in the two portions13, 15 to receive the attachment mechanisms 44. The portions 13, 15 mayinclude interior spaces 48 (the interior space 48 of the portion 15 isobstructed from view in this Figure) constructed and arranged to receivethe components.

As shown in FIG. 3, the latch 32 includes the engaging portion 34, amain portion. 50, a contact portion 52 extending from the main portion50, and grooves 52 a and ridges 52 b. The contact portion 52 may beengageable by the user to move the latch 32 between the unlatched andlatched positions. For example, the contact portion 52 may be depressedby the user to move the latch 32 from the latched position to theunlatched position. The grooves 52 a and ridges 52 b may be constructedand arranged to receive and be received in ridges 54 a and grooves 54 b,respectively, formed in the first and second portions 13, 15 of thehousing 12. As mentioned above, a resilient member (not shown) may beprovided to bias the latch 32 in the latched position. In someembodiments, the latch 32 may be made of resilient materials such thatthe latch 32 may bias itself in the latched position. In otherembodiments, the housing portions 13, 15 may be provided with resilientmembers or at least a portion of the housing portions 13, 15 may be madeof resilient material that biases the latch 32 in the latched position.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the electronic components assembly 22includes a first terminal structure or block 56 constructed and arrangedto be electrically connected to the battery operated device 16. Theelectrical connector 22 also includes a second terminal structure orblock 58 constructed and arranged to be electrically connected to thebattery 20. The first terminal block 56 may be electrically connected tothe second terminal block 58 via wires 60 a-60 d. In this embodiment,the terminal block 58 includes tool blade terminals 62 a-62 e and a mainportion 63. The tool blade terminals 62 a-62 e may be planar-shapedblade terminals that are generally perpendicular to the main portion 63of the terminal block 56. In one embodiment, two of the tool bladeterminals 62 a-62 d (e.g., the blade terminals 62 a, 62 d) are positiveand negative terminals. Two other tool blade terminals 62 a-62 d (e.g.,62 b, 62 c) may be used to monitor information associated with thebattery 20 or the battery operated device 16. For example, the other twoblade terminals 62 a-62 d may be used to transfer information associatedwith the battery 20 to the battery operated device 16, or may be used totransfer information associated with the battery operated device 16 tothe device tag 10. The tool blade terminals 62 a-62 e may be made ofconductive material, such as copper, aluminum, zinc, silver, gold, othermaterials, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the openings 30a-30 e in the housing 12 may correspond with the terminals 62 a-62 e.Accordingly, terminal connections from the battery operated device 16may be inserted into the openings 30 a-30 e and may contact the toolblade terminals 62 a-62 e through the openings 30 a-30 e when the devicetag 10 and the battery operated device 16 are connected. As mentionedabove, the wires 60 a-60 d may be used to electrically connect the firstterminal block 56 with the second terminal block 58. FIG. 4a shows inmore detail the electrical connections between the first terminal block56 and the second terminal block 58. The second terminal block 58 mayinclude terminal connecting portions 64 a-64 d, which may beelectrically connected to battery blade terminals 66 a-66 d (see FIG. 5a). The terminal connecting portions 64 a-64 d generally extendperpendicularly to an upper side 61 of the second terminal block 58. Theterminal connecting portions 64 a-64 d and/or the battery bladeterminals 66 a-66 d may be made of conductive material, such as copper,aluminum, zinc, silver, gold, other materials, or a combination thereof.The battery blade terminals 66 a-66 d may generally extendperpendicularly to a lower side 65 (see FIG. 5a ) of the second terminalblock 58.

As shown in FIG. 4b , the electronic device 22 may be located behind thefirst terminal block 56. That is, the first terminal block 56 may belocated closer to the front portion 21 of the housing 12 than theelectronic device 22. The electronic device 22 may be located closer tothe front side 21 than the latch 32. In some embodiments, the latch 32may be connected to a switch, such as a mechanical switch or a magneticswitch, that detects removal of the device tag 10 from the batteryoperated device 16. For example, in some embodiments, the latch 32 maybe connected to a mechanical switch that detects movement of the latch32 to the unlatched position. In some embodiments, sensors may be usedto detect movement of the latch 32. In some embodiments, the switch orother sensors may be provided on other portions of the housing 12 todetect removal of the device tag 10 from the battery operated device 16.

FIG. 5a a bottom perspective view of the device tag 10. In thisembodiment, the battery blade terminals 66 a-66 d are constructed andarranged to be inserted into the openings 31 a-31 d of the battery 20 toelectrically connect the battery 20 and the device tag 10. The battery20 may include terminal connectors configured to electrically connect orcontact the battery blade terminals 66 a-66 d to electrically connectthe device tag 10 with the battery 20. The terminal connectors of thebattery 20 may have a similar configuration as the tool blade terminals62 a-62 d of the device tag 10. Two of the battery blade terminals 66a-66 d (e.g., the blade terminals 66 a, 66 d) may be the negative andpositive terminals. Two other battery blade terminals 66 a-66 d (e.g.,the blade terminals 66 b, 66 c) may be used to monitor informationassociated with the battery 20. For example, the other two bladeterminals 62 a-62 d (e.g., the blade terminals 66 b, 66 c) may be usedto transfer information associated with the battery 20 to the device tag10 and/or the battery operated device 16. The device tag 10 may includean opening or receiving space 70 constructed and arranged to receive atleast portions of the battery 20 when the battery 20 is connected to thedevice tag 10. An inner surface 72 of the device tag 10 may partiallydefine the receiving space 70. Elongated ridges 68 may be provided onthe inner surface 72 to facilitate sliding movement of the battery 20during connection or engagement of the battery 20 with the device tag10. A latch engaging structure 73, taking the form of a groove in thisembodiment, may be provided on the inner surface 72, the latch engagingstructure 73 being constructed and arranged to receive a latch 75 (seeFIG. 7) of the battery 20. Referring back to FIG. 5a , the latchengaging structure 73 may also include a stop portion 77 constructed andarranged to abut against a portion of the latch 75 of the battery 20when the battery 20 is engaged with the device tag 10 to preventmovement of the battery 20 relative to the device tag 10. The engagingportion 27 of the battery operated device 16 may have a similarconfiguration as the bottom portion 21 of the device tag 10. That is,the engaging portion 27 of the battery operated device 16 may havesimilar connecting structures, latch engaging structure, and bladeterminals as the second connecting structures 18, latch engagingstructure 73 and blade terminals 66 a-66 d of the device tag 10.Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the engaging portion 27 ofthe battery operated device 16 may be constructed and arranged to bedirectly engageable or connectable with the battery 20.

In this embodiment, each of the first and second portions 13, 15 includethe second connector structure 18. Each of the connector structures 18includes a groove 74 and a rail 76. The groove 74 may be defined betweenthe rail 76 and the inner surface 72 of the device tag 10. In oneembodiment, the rails 76 are constructed and arranged to be received inassociated grooves 78 (see FIG. 7) of the battery 20 and the grooves 74are constructed and arranged to receive associated rails 80 (see FIG. 7)of the battery 20. In such an embodiment, the grooves 78 and the rails80 of the battery 20 define the connecting structure 82 (see FIG. 7) ofthe battery. The second connector structures 18 of the device tag 10 andthe connecting structure 82 of the battery 20 may be used to align theblade terminals 66 a-66 d of the device tag 10 with the openings 31 a-30d of the battery 20 and to connect the device tag 10 with the battery20.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the electronic device 24. Inthis embodiment, the electronic device 24 includes an RFID tag 91including a transmitter 92 and an optional power supply 90 (e.g., abattery). The RFID tag 91 may also include an antenna (not shown) and areceiver (not shown) for receiving signals from the control unit 84.However, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the RFID tag91 may include only the transmitter 92 and may be configured to onlytransmit signals. The electronic device 24 may also include amicroprocessor 88 and a memory 94. The microprocessor 88 and the memory94 may define a controller 96. The microprocessor 88 and the memory 94of the controller 96 may be part of the RFID tag 91 or may be separatefrom the RFID tag 91. For example, in some embodiments, the RFID tag 91may also have a separate microprocessor and/or memory in addition to themicroprocessor 88 and memory 96 of the controller 96. In someembodiments, the electronic device 22 may be an RFID tag 91 having anycombination of the transmitter, the power supply, the microprocessor,and the memory. In some embodiments, the controller 96, including themicroprocessor 88 and the memory 94, may be defined on a separateelectronic device and may be configured to communicate with the RFID tag91. In such embodiments, the controller 96 may process informationreceived by the RFID tag 91 and optional sensors of the RFID tag 91. Itshould be appreciated that the RFID tag 91 may include any combinationof the transmitter 92, the power supply 90, microprocessor, and memory.The memory 94 may be nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory, flashmemory, ferroelectric RAM or volatile memory. The electronic device 24may be the same or similar to the object identification devicesdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,249, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The electronic device 22 may optionally have built-in sensorcapabilities that sense temperature, humidity, movement, and/or shock.In one embodiment, the electronic device 22 includes amovement/acceleration sensor (not shown) configured to sense movement ofthe device tag 10. The RFID tag 91 of the electronic device 22 may beconfigured to transmit signals containing both identification codes andinformation associated with whether the device tag 10 is moving orstationary. Each device tag 10 may be associated with a uniqueidentification code. In one embodiment, the RFID tag 91 is a long rangeactive devices capable of transmitting at, just for example, 2.4 GHz. Inone embodiment, the RFID tag 91 is a short range passive RFID devicescapable of transmitting at, just for example, 125 kHZ. For passive RFIDdevices, the RFID reader 86 of the control unit 84 may emit a low-powerradio wave field which is used to power the passive device so that thepassive device can transmit radio frequency signals upon receivinginterrogation signals from the RFID reader 86. Active RFID devicesinclude their own power source and are capable of receiving andtransmitting radio frequency signals over a much longer range thanpassive devices. Active RFID devices can also power an internal clockand transmit time and date stamp to a recorded event.

FIG. 6 shows the control unit 84, which as discussed above, may besimilar to the control unit described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/785,249, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. In general, the control unit 84 includes the RFID reader 96, amemory 98, a user interface 100, a processor 102, an alarm 104 toindicate unauthorized use or other events, optional sensors 106, and apower supply 108 (e.g., a battery). The processor 102 of the controlunit 84 may process information received from the RFID tag 91 of thedevice tag 10. The memory 98 may include a database that is configuredto store identification codes of the device tags 10, events associatedwith the device tag 10, and other information associated with the devicetag 10. The memory 98 may also store information associated with the“checking out” of the device tag 10 from a predetermined area, such asthe container described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,249.That is, the control unit 84 may be placed in or near the predeterminedarea (e.g., a container or toolbox). A user may have a useridentification device (e.g., RFID devices) capable of transmittingsignals relating to a unique user identification code. Theidentification codes for the user identification devices may be storedin the memory 98 of the control unit 84. An authorized user may “checkout” the battery operated device 16 such that the battery operateddevice 16 may be removed from the predetermined area and assigned to theuser. The authorized user may be one associated with an authorized useridentification device (i.e., an user identification device with a useridentification code stored in the memory 98 of the control unit 84).During the checkout process, the control unit 84 may receive useridentification codes from the user identification device associated withthe authorized user and the object identification code from the devicetag 10 associated with the battery operated device 16. The objectidentification code and the user identification code may be associatedwith each other in the memory 98 of the control unit 84. If a user doesnot have an authorized user identification device, the user may beconsidered “unauthorized user.” When a battery operated device 16 andits associated device tag 10 are removed from the predetermined areawithout an authorized user identification device, the use is considered“unauthorized.” In such cases, the control unit 84 may log this as anunauthorized event or hostile event. Alarms or other indications may begenerated by the control unit 84. In some embodiments, signalsindicating the unauthorized use may be transmitted to the device tag 10for further action, which will be described in more detail below. Itshould also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the control unit 84may use alternative or additional types of communication. That is, inaddition to RFID signals or instead of RFID signals, the control unit 84and the device tag 10 may communicate via other methods ofcommunications, such as, just for example, satellite signals, personalarea networks (IrDA, Bluetooth, UWB, Z-Wave, and Zigbee). Accordingly,the device tag 10 may include receivers or other types of devicesconfigured to receive from and/or transmit signals to the control unit84. The control unit 84 may communicate with a plurality of device tags10 each associated with a battery operated device 16. The device tags 10may broadcast over a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum tocommunicate with the control unit 84. In some embodiments, the devicetags 10 may transmit signals at different frequencies to avoidinterferences.

The device tag 10 may be configured to transmit signals to the controlunit 84 to indicate the status of the device tag 10 and its associatedbattery operated device 16. For example, in one embodiment, the devicetag 10 may be configured to transmit signals indicating low battery whenthe power in the battery 20 is low. Signals may also be transmitted whenthe device tag 10 senses the removal thereof from the battery operateddevice 16. Other alarm indications or other events may occur when thedevice tag 10 senses a hostile event, such as the removal of the devicetag 10 from the battery operated device 16, which will be described inmore detail later. The device tag 10 may also transmit signals when theactuator 38 is actuated by the user. For example, during check out andwhen the device tag 10 and its associated battery operated device 16 isin the predetermined area, the user with an authorized useridentification device may actuate the actuator 38. The control unit 84may receive signals from the device tag 10 indicating the objectidentification code and receive signals from the user identificationdevice indicating the user identification code. The user identificationcode may then be associated with the object identification code in thedatabase and recorded as a check out event in the database.

In one embodiment, the device tag 10 may continue to transmit signalsduring rest or in movement at selected intervals after the batteryoperated device 16 has been checked out and the object identificationcode of the associated device tag 10 is associated with a useridentification code. For example, during movement, which may be sensedby an acceleration sensor or movement sensor in the device tag 10, thedevice tag 10 may transmit signals to the control unit 84 at apredetermined interval (e.g., every 2 seconds). During rest, the devicetag 10 may transmit signals to the control unit 84 at anotherpredetermined interval (e.g., every 30 seconds). It should beappreciated that in some embodiments, the device tag 10 may transmitsignals at the same interval during both rest and movement. Theintervals may be preprogrammed or may be user programmed.

When the battery operated device 16 and its associated device tag 10 isremoved by an unauthorized user from the predetermined area, the use maybe considered unauthorized. In such situations, the user does not have avalid user identification device that transmits a valid useridentification code. Unauthorized use occurs when there is no useridentification device that is read or sensed when the battery operateddevice 16 and its associated device tag 10 is removed from thepredetermined area. Unauthorized use may also occur when a useridentification device is sensed and read by the control unit 84, but theuser identification code associated with the user identification deviceis not stored in the control unit 84, not recognized by the control unit84, or is identified as being associated with a user who is not givenpermission to use the battery operated device 16. Accordingly, a userwho does not have a recognizable user identification device will bedetermined by the control unit 84 to be an unauthorized user.Unauthorized use may be considered a hostile event that causes an alarmto be generated or other events to occur. In one embodiment, the controlunit 84 may be constructed and arranged to transmit a signal to thedevice tag 10 indicating unauthorized use has occurred.

In one embodiment, the device tag 10 is configured to disable power fromthe battery 20 to the battery operated device 16 in response toreceiving signals from the control unit 84 that the use of the batteryoperated device 16 is unauthorized. In such embodiments, the signal fromthe control unit 84 may be a signal or code that causes the device tag10 to switch from an operative state wherein power is provided from thebattery 20 to the battery operated device 16 to an inoperative statewherein power is disabled from the battery 20 to the battery operateddevice 16. In some embodiments, the controller 96 may be constructed andarranged to disable power upon receipt of the signal from the controlunit 84. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 84 may generatean alarm or other indication to indicate that there is unauthorized useof the battery operated device 16. In some embodiments, the device tag10 may also generate an indication, such as via an audible alarm,vibration alarm, or lights, to indicate that the use of the batteryoperated device 16 is unauthorized. In some embodiments, the device tag10 may include a switch configured to selectively enable or disablepower to be provided from the battery 20 to the battery operated device16. In response to receiving signals indicating unauthorized use, thecontroller 96 of the device tag 10 may effect the switch to disablepower from being provided from the battery 20 to the battery operateddevice 16. Accordingly, the unauthorized user is unable to operate thebattery operated device 16.

In other embodiments, the device tag 10 may generate signals at apredetermined interval before the device tag 10 and its associatedbattery powered device 16 have been checked out, and may cease togenerate signals after the battery operated device 16 and the device tag10 have been properly checked out. That is, after the battery operateddevice 16 and its associated device tag 10 have been associated with anauthorized user having a valid user identification device, the devicetag 10 may cease transmission of signals. In such embodiments, thedevice tag 10 may initially be in an inoperative state wherein no poweris provided from the battery 20. During the checking out process whereinthe object identification code of the device tag 10 is associated with auser identification code of a user identification device, the controlunit 84 may be constructed and arranged to transmit a signal to thedevice tag 10 to change the operation state from an inoperative state toan operative state wherein power is provided from the battery 20 to thebattery operated device 16 via the device tag 10. In such embodiments,before the battery operated devices 16 and their associated device tags10 are checked out, the control unit 84 may be constructed and arrangedto check for signals being transmitted from the device tags 10 to ensurethat the device tags 10 are contained within the predetermined area. Ifa certain predetermined threshold of time has passed without receipt oftransmission from the device tag 10, and the device tag 10 and itsassociated battery operated device 16 are not checked out (i.e., theobject identification code of the device tag 10 is not associated with avalid user identification code), the control unit 84 may determine thatthe battery operated device 16 and its associated device tag 10 havebeen removed from the predetermined area without authorization. Thisevent may be considered a hostile event by the control unit 84. In suchembodiments, because the battery operated device 16 and its associateddevice tag 10 were not properly checked out (i.e., the control unit 84was not able to transmit a signal to the device tag 10 to switch fromthe inoperative state to the operative state), the battery powereddevice 16 may not operate without the power being provided from thebattery 20 to the battery operated device 16 via the device tag 10.Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 84 may be constructedand arranged to emit an alarm signal to indicate occurrence of thehostile event.

As mentioned above, the removal of the device tag 10 from the batteryoperated device 16 may also be considered a hostile event. As alsomentioned above, the device tag 10 may detect the removal of the devicetag 10 from the battery operated device 16, for example, via a switch orsensor. In some embodiments, the switch or sensor may be connected tothe latch 32 or may sense movement of the latch 32 to the unlatchedposition. The controller 96 may receive signals from the sensor or theswitch indicating removal of the device tag 10 from the battery operateddevice 16. In such situations, the controller 96 may cause the devicetag 10 to generate an alarm or other indications. The device tag 10 mayalso transmit such information to the control unit 84. In someembodiments, the control unit 84 may determine whether the user isassociated with a user identification device having a useridentification code that is permitted to remove the device tag 10. Ifthe user has permission to remove the device tag 10, the removal may beconsidered an authorized removal by an authorized user. In suchembodiments, the control unit 84 might not generate an alarm indicationor may send signals to the device tag 10 to prevent any alarmindications in the device tag 10 to be generated. Alternatively, if theuser is not authorized to remove the device tag 10, the removal isconsidered unauthorized and alarms may be generated in one or both ofthe device tags 10 and the control unit 84. In some embodiments, alarmswill be generated by one or both of the control unit 84 and the devicetag 10 regardless of whether the removal is by a user with or withoutpermission. In such embodiments, the alarms will be generated wheneverthe device tag 10 is removed from the battery operated device 16.

The device tag 10, the battery operated device 16, and the battery 20may be assembled or connected together as follows in accordance with anembodiment. The device tag 10, battery operated device 16, and battery20 may initially be disassembled or disconnected, as shown in FIG. 7. Asmentioned above, the engaging portion 27 of the battery operated device16 may have similar connecting structures, latch engaging structure, andblade terminals as the second connecting structures 18, latch engagingstructure 73 and blade terminals 66 a-66 d of the device tag 10. Toconnect the device tag 10 to the battery operated device 16, the devicetag 10 may be slid in the direction of axis A (see FIG. 7) towards theengaging portion 27 of the battery operated device 16. Accordingly,grooves and rails of the connector structures of the engaging portion 27are constructed and arranged to engage with the rails 28 and grooves 26,respectively, of the second connector structures 18 of the device tag10. This connection may prevent the vertical movement of the device tag10 relative to the battery operated device 16. The lateral movement ofthe device tag 10 relative to the battery operated device 16 may beprevented by the latch 32 and the latch engaging structure formed in theengaging portion 27 of the battery operated device 16. During theconnection of the connector structure of the battery operated device 16and the second connector structures 18 of the device tag 18, the latch32 of the device tag 10 may be slid against the inner surface of thebattery operated device 16. The sloped surface 35 of the latch 32 maycam against or slide against the inner surface of the engaging portionof the battery operated device 16, causing the latch 32 to move to theunlatched position wherein the engaging portion 34 is pushed towards theopening 36 of the housing 12. When the latch 32 has reached the latchengaging structure (similar to the latch engaging structure 73 of thedevice tag 10) of the engaging portion 27 of the battery operated device16, the resiliency of the latch or a bias member associated with thelatch 32 may bias the latch 32 to the latched position wherein theengaging portion 34 is moved upwards and received in the latch engagingstructure (e.g., a groove) formed in the inner surface of the engagingportion 27. The engaging surface 37 of the latch 32 may abut against aportion of the latch engaging surface to prevent movement of the devicetag 10 in the direction opposite that of A relative to the batteryoperated device 16. The terminal connectors of the battery operateddevice 16 may be similar to the battery terminal blades 66 a-66 d of thedevice tag 10. Thus, the terminal connectors may be inserted into theopenings 30 a-30 d of the device tag 10 to electrically connect with thetool terminal blades 64 a-64 d of the first terminal block 56. Thus, thedevice tag 10 may be engaged with and latched to the battery operateddevice 16 and may be electrically connected with the battery operateddevice 16. In embodiments having a sensor or switch, the sensor orswitch may sense the connection of the device tag 10 with the batteryoperated device 16 and signals may be transmitted to the control unit 84or to the controller 96 to indicate the connection.

The battery 20 may be connected to the device tag 10 in a similarmanner. That is, the battery 20 may be slid towards the device tag 10 inthe direction of B along a second axis, as shown in FIG. 8. The axis Bmay be parallel with the axis A, and the battery 20 may be slid in thesame direction to connect to the device tag 10 as the device tag 10during its connection to the battery operated device 16. The connectingstructures 82 of the battery 20 may connect with or be engaged with thesecond connecting structures 18 of the device tag 10. For example, thegrooves 78 of the battery 20 may receive the rails 76 of the device tag10, and the rails 80 of the battery 20 may be received in the grooves 74of the device tag 10. This connection may prevent vertical movement ofthe battery 20 relative to the device tag 10. The lateral movement maybe prevented by at least the latch 75 of the battery 20. The latch 75may have a similar construction and arrangement as the latch 32 of thedevice tag 10. Accordingly, the latch 75 may be engaged with the latchengaging structure 73 of the device tag 10 in a similar manner asdescribed above with respect to the latch 32 of the device tag 10 andthe latch engaging structure of the battery operated device 16. Anengaging portion 79 of the latch 75 may abut against the stop portion 77of the latch engaging structure 73 to prevent movement of the battery 20in the direction opposite that of axis B from the device tag 10. Thebattery terminal blades 66 a-66 d of the device tag 10 may be insertedinto the openings 31 a-31 d of the battery 20 to electrically connectthe device tag 10 with the terminal connectors of the battery 20.

The device tag 10, the battery operated device 16, and the battery 20may be disassembled or disconnected as follows in accordance with anembodiment. To disengage the device tag 10 from the battery operateddevice 16, the latch 32 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4b ) of thedevice tag 10 may be moved to the unlatched position by engaging thecontact portion 52 of the latch 32. The contact portion 52 may bedepressed to move the latch 32 to the unlatched position wherein theengaging portion 34 is moved towards the opening 36 of the housing 12.Accordingly, the engaging portion 34 of the latch 32 is removed from thelatch engaging structure of the engaging portion 27 of the batteryoperated device 16 and the engaging surface 37 is no longer abuttingagainst a portion of the latch engaging structure to prevent lateralmovement of the device tag 10 relative to the battery operated device16. The device tag 10 may then be slid in a direction opposite that of Aaway from the battery operated device 16 (for example, as shown in FIG.7). During this sliding movement, the first connector structures 14 ofthe device tag 10 may be disconnected or disengaged from correspondingconnector structures of the battery operated device 16. As mentionedabove, the removal of the device tag 10 from the battery operated device16 may generate alarms or other indications. Signals may also betransmitted to the control unit 84 when the device tag 10 senses theremoval thereof from the battery operated device 16. The device tag 10and/or the control unit 84 may generate alarms or other indications toindicate unauthorized removal. As mentioned above, in some embodiments,if the control unit 84 determines that the user has permission to removethe device tag 10 from the battery operated device 16, the alarms orother indications might not be generated or might cease to be generated.

The battery 20 may be removed from the device tag 10 in a similarmanner. That is, the latch 75 of the battery 20 may be moved to theunlocked position wherein the engaging portion 79 is removed from thelatch engaging structure 73 of the device tag 10. Thus, the stop portion77 of the device tag 10 may no longer abut against the engaging portion79 to prevent sliding movement of the battery 20 relative to the devicetag 10. The battery 20 may then be slid in a direction opposite that ofB (for example, as shown in FIG. 7). During the sliding movement, theconnector structures 82 of the battery 20 may be disconnected from thesecond connector structures 18 of the device tag 10. In someembodiments, it is contemplated that there may also be sensors on thedevice tag 10 to detect removal of the battery 20. In such embodiments,alarms or other indications may be generated by one or both of thedevice tag 10 and the control unit 84 to indicate the removal of thebattery 20 from the device tag 10.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transmitter device comprising: a housing, thehousing including a first connector structure constructed and arrangedto engage with a battery operated power tool and a second connectorstructure constructed and arranged to engage with a battery pack suchthat the transmitter device is provided between the battery operatedpower tool and the battery pack; a first terminal structure carried bythe housing and configured to provide an electrical contact with thebattery operated power tool; a second terminal structure carried by thehousing and configured to provide an electrical contact with the batterypack; and a transmitter constructed and arranged to transmit and receivewireless data signals to and from a separate unit; and a controllerconnected to the transmitter; wherein the transmitter device is arrangedto provide an electrical connection between the battery operated powertool and the battery pack such that power is provided from the batterypack to the battery operated power tool to power the battery operatedpower tool.
 2. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein thetransmitter transmits the wireless data signals according to a Bluetoothprotocol.
 3. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein the controllercan cause an alarm reaction when the transmitter device is moved outsideof a predetermined area.
 4. The transmitter device of claim 1, whereinthe battery operated power tool slidingly connects with the firstconnector structure.
 5. The transmitter device of claim 4, wherein thebattery operated power tool slidingly connects with the first connectorstructure along a first axis.
 6. The transmitter device of claim 1,further comprising an actuator connected to the controller, wherein whenthe actuator is actuated, the transmitter is prompted to transmitwireless data signals to the separate unit.
 7. The transmitter device ofclaim 3, wherein the controller can cause an alarm reaction when thetransmitter receives a wireless signal indicating that the transmitterdevice is moved outside a predetermined area.
 8. The transmitter deviceof claim 3, wherein the alarm reaction includes disabling power from thebattery pack to the battery operated power tool.
 9. The transmitterdevice of claim 3, wherein the alarm reaction includes disabling thebattery operated power tool.
 10. The transmitter device of claim 1,wherein the controller instructs the transmitter to send data about thebattery pack.
 11. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein thecontroller instructs the transmitter to send data about the batteryoperated power tool.
 12. A transmitter device comprising: a housing, thehousing including a first connector structure constructed and arrangedto engage with a battery operated power tool and a second connectorstructure constructed and arranged to engage with a battery pack suchthat the transmitter device is provided between the battery operatedpower tool and the battery pack; a first terminal structure carried bythe housing and configured to provide an electrical contact with thebattery operated power tool; a second terminal structure carried by thehousing and configured to provide an electrical contact with the batterypack; and a transmitter constructed and arranged to transmit and receivewireless data signals to and from a separate unit; and a controllerconnected to the transmitter; wherein the transmitter device is arrangedto provide an electrical connection between the battery operated powertool and the battery pack such that power is provided from the batterypack to the battery operated power tool to power the battery operatedpower tool.
 13. The transmitter device of claim 12, wherein thecontroller instructs the transmitter to send data about at least one ofthe battery operated power tool and the battery pack.
 14. Thetransmitter device of claim 12, wherein the battery operated power toolis configured such that it can alternatively be powered by the batterypack through the transmitter device and directly by the battery packwithout the transmitter device connected between the battery pack andthe battery operated power tool.
 15. The transmitter device of claim 14,wherein the transmitter device is configured to slidingly connect to thebattery operated power tool along a first axis; wherein when thetransmitter device is connected to the battery operated power tool, thebattery pack is configured to slidingly connect to the transmitterdevice along a second axis; and wherein the first axis is parallel tothe second axis.
 16. The transmitter device of claim 12, wherein thetransmitter device further comprises a latch for securing the connectorto the battery operated power tool.
 17. The transmitter device of claim12, wherein the transmitter device further includes a memory.
 18. Thetransmitter device of claim 12, wherein the battery operated power toolcomprises at least one of a drill, a nailer, and a saw.
 19. Thetransmitter device of claim 12, further comprising a separate batteryhoused in the housing and powering the transmitter device.
 20. Thetransmitter device of claim 12, wherein the transmitter device includesa movement sensor.